How 'calm' Gordon fought through early-career nerves

Ask anyone to describe Craig Gordon and the word that often comes to their mind first is calm.

>The towering six-foot-four-inch frame of the Hearts and Scotland stopper belies his temperament, as for someone so dominant and vocal on the park, his composure is what many people admire.

>A new Icons of Football episode, which followed Gordon throughout this dramatic season and looks back on his storied career, is available now on BBC iPlayer.

>The documentary tells the story of Gordon's repeated injury setbacks, his extensive treatment this season and his drive to make this summer's World Cup squad.

>The goalkeeper, who is hoping to be named as Scotland's number one for their opening World Cup match in 28 years when they face Haiti on Sunday, has come a long way from the teenage prodigy who needed the sick bucket to calm his pre-match jitters.

>"That probably came from being really nervous," the 43-year-old told BBC Scotland on how he appeared so collected from day one.

>"Especially early in my career, I was very nervous. I used to be sick before almost every game. I'd come in from the warm-up, go into the toilet and throw up. I was so nervous, I just didn't want to let these people down.

>"That was how I dealt with the nerves and carried myself in that way and made everybody else think I was in total control."

>His first season at Tynecastle set the tempo for what would become one of the club's most celebrated in the 21st century.

>The keeper won young player of the year at the club, featured in key European ties and played the majority of the league games.

>One of the biggest moments of his career would come just a few years after it started, in a Scottish Cup final at Hampden for his boyhood club.

>And when Gavin Skelton's decisive penalty rattled the bar and sailed over, Gordon was running towards the fans in celebration before it touched back down on the pitch.

>"I knew it was high, I remember hearing it hit the bar and I just took off celebrating," he recalled.

>"I didn't even look back, I'm so glad it didn't hit the bar and come down because I didn't even look for the ball.

>"I just went celebrating straightaway."